11. Jesse Meek was born in 1780 in Pittsburgh, PA. He died on 1 Dec 1856 in Henry Co., KY. These dates and his connection to his parents are based on a death notice in a newspaper. "Jesse Meak age 76 d. 1 Dec 1850 of apoplexy, born Pittsburg, PA, son of Basil and Sarah Meak." The 1850 census gives Jesse's age as 59 born in Virginia. However, other census records generally support 1880 as the data of birth.
There is a Henry County marriage record for Jesse Meek to Mat. Gilbreath dated 6 Oct 1810. While there is no proof that this marriage is for the same Jesse Meek, there were no other possibilities for this period of time. The 1850 census of Henry County list Jesse Meek age 59 with wife Martha born age 36. These ages are inconsistent with other census records and it is believed to be in error.
The name Jesse Meek appears in the tax records from 1813 to 1843. The amount of land held changed from 50 to 100 acres in 1823. The deed records do not assist in making a distinction between different people. The name Jesse appears in the 1820 through 1850 census.
The following female names do appear in marriage abstracts or other records with a father named Jesse Meek. This author has researched all Meek families in Henry County and there are no known alternatives for Jesse Meek. The 1820 census suggest that Jesse had 4 daughter and 1 son born between 1810 and 1819. The 1830 census suggest that Jesse had 4 daughter born between 1820 and 1830 and this is consistent with the children listed. The 1830 census also list a male age 15-20 and an unknown male age 20-30. It is possible that a younger daughter died young. Caution is advised until additional information about these children is obtained.
Note:
The primary information on the date of birth for Jesse Meek is the notice published in the newspaper which also ties him to his father Basil Meek born 1740. Jesse was born in 1780 in Pittsburgh. There is no evidence that there was another person named Jesse Meek born between 1780 and 1790 living in Henry County before 1850. Unfortunately the 1850 census gives his age as 60. The age of his wife is also incorrect. Other census records give date ranges that are consistent with a birth in 1780.
The 1820 census lists one son and four daughters under 10. This suggests that some or all of these daughters died young as the dates are inconsistent with other information. We do not know the exact dates of birth of any of the children.
The 1830 census is more consistent with the 4 known younger daughters and the son. However it also list one older male which was born before Jesse and Martha were married.
The 1840 census has inconsistent data on the daughters and could include other non family women. In addition, the 1840 census appears to have his mother listed as the female over 100. We know that Basil died in January 1840.